Ben Gregory

Runner and Team GB Decathlete

What got you into running? And what keeps you doing it?I was a very active youngster and my parents took me to every sports club around. I had so much energy and I was the fastest kid at school. I think I enjoyed the success and that's ultimately what made me give up the other sports and focus on athletics. The diversity in the training and the events kept me interested and since the age of 16 I have been in love with the Decathlon.

What is your typical weekly training routine?The decathlon is pretty full on and the training is very tough. Six days a week there is multiple running, technical and weights sessions. A Monday training session for example consists of - resisted acceleration sprints, blocks starts over 30m and a few longer speed reps of 120ms / 150ms. Along with long jump training, shot put and a weights session afterwards.

Do you run with a club or a group?The best group of guys I ever trained with were Nick Dakin's 400m/400mH group up in Loughborough. Saturday Fartlek sessions stick in my mind as some of the best training sessions I have ever done in my career. Right now, I do a lot of my running sessions on my own - with ten events and only seven days to train, it's about getting the sessions in as and when you can.

Where’s the strangest place you’ve run?In Wembley, my friends and I took part in the 5km colour run, inspired by the Indian festival of colour, you run the course and every 1km there is a station to have a powder paint fight! Very strange and wacky but amazing, I really enjoyed it!

What song, if any, is guaranteed to make you run faster? There are a few songs that can help get me going but something with a good beat. Mark Ronson - Uptown funk. Years and years – Shine. Xavier Rudd - Follow the sun. Kanye West – Power.

Is it just for the fun of it? Or for the results?I run for the performance, all of my training aims to push my body to the limits and get results. Small improvements across the ten events can make a big difference to your overall score. I think after my career I can imagine running just for fun, it's very relaxing and methodical and gives you time to think whilst exerting yourself physically.

What is the best bit of advice you’ve had from another runner?Listen to your body, recovery is just as important as your training, don't over do it and make sure you do a proper warm up and cool down to avoid injuries.

What simple advice would you give to a new or novice runner?Set achievable goals, work hard and stick to a plan (even if it's raining outside!).

What is your favourite piece of SOAR kit? The race shorts are so free and flexible, it makes you feel there are no restrictions and that you are full of limitless range when you run!